New research attempts to pinpoint where canine domestication began.

Dogs have a special connection with humans, more so than any other animal. But until recently, little was known about how we formed this bond. Charles Darwin once speculated: “I do not believe… that all our dogs have descended from any one wild species.” Modern genetic tools now show that Darwin’s guess was wrong. All dogs seem to have descended from gray wolves. But if that is the case, when and where did the process of domestication begin?

There have been conflicting ideas about dogs' origins. Genetic studies have suggested the Middle East and East Asia. Now, if a new study published in Science by Olaf Thalmann at the University of Turku and colleagues is right, we have a different possible answer. Thalmann’s claim, based on a comprehensive genetic analysis of fossils and modern-day species, suggests that dogs were first domesticated in Europe at a time when humans were still hunter-gatherers.

The analysis is based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is passed down from mothers to their children with no input from fathers. Each cell has multiple copies of the mtDNA, making it the easiest bit of DNA to extract from ancient bones. Differences between individuals’ mtDNA allow the construction of a branching tree of maternal inheritance, leading back to the last common female-line ancestor. Thalmann used the mtDNA of many modern and ancient wolves and dogs to create just such a tree.

The dog samples formed a few clusters of close relatives within the tree, with the wolves much more distantly related to each other. Each cluster must represent the domestication of one female (or a number of closely related ones) or the crossing of a male dog and female wolf at a later point. According to Thalmann’s analysis, each cluster was more closely related to European wolves than it was to those from other parts of the world. This suggests that the domestication of dogs happened in Europe.

The age of each cluster was also estimated. The results were consistent with the fossil record, which shows that dogs existed possibly as early as 36,000 years ago, long before the advent of farming (which happened 13,000 years ago).

While these are exciting findings, it is important to remember that if an analysis included more samples, the results may change. Most importantly, additional wolves could be more closely related to the dog clusters than are the current closest European wolves. The authors argue that it is unlikely that distant wolves would be so closely related to European ones, but I am unsure about this. Wolves are an exceptionally mobile species, and even within the published tree, there are close relatives that live on different continents.

It is also likely that mtDNA from many domestication and hybridization events has been lost over the millennia, and there is no guarantee that these were all European. For instance, within the study’s results, there were intermediate wolf-dog fossils that did not cluster with modern dogs. These could be the events where the mtDNA was lost instead of persisting into modern populations. Whether they became extinct or joined the ancestral dog population without passing down their mtDNA to the modern day is anybody’s guess.

There is also no guarantee, even if the surviving mtDNA is from Europe, that this is true for the rest of the genome. Since the mitochondrial genome is inherited separately from the DNA in the cell’s nucleus, it is possible that additional contributions to the nucleus were made by wolves outside of Europe. These could have been from male wolves or cases where a mitochondrial lineage went extinct. If an ancestral dog population contained DNA from wolves from several places, there could still be regions of the modern dog genome that descended from other parts of the world.

As humans spread around the world, they rapidly became the new top predator. Life for wolves would get tougher, while the new opportunity as part of the efficient human-dog hunting team opened up. And as the canine family is thought to be particularly quick to evolve (giving them a propensity to domestication), it would be surprising if domestication was limited to one region.

The study does not address how domestication was initiated, but it is easy to assume that hunters taking and training wolf cubs was the first step. However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it. Such a model is sometimes thought of as needing human settlements, which would be ruled out if, as Thalmann suggests, the domestication date is before humans took up agriculture (which then led to permanent settlements). However, the large carcasses of the hunted animals may have done just as well.

Whether or not it turns out that our best friend originated in Europe, it has been exciting to watch the story of such a familiar animal slowly come together with each new study.

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However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

not surprising. Actually Europe was the birthplace of many aspects of civilization, like the first complex art pieces around 40000BC. Something about surviving in a difficult environment must be motivating.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

I think that depends on the breed. My dog and her crazy antics could be described as anything but lazy...

I wonder how this study will change the history of breed development from areas such as Asia or the Middle East. If dogs didn't originate there, when exactly did they develop there?

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

not surprising. Actually Europe was the birthplace of many aspects of civilization, like the first complex art pieces around 40000BC. Something about surviving in a difficult environment must be motivating.

I watched an interesting TV program regarding dogs and one of the studies showed that dogs have a compelling urge to cue on humans. IIRC they compared wolves raised in captivity with dogs raised identically then had them tested attempting various tasks. The one I remember the best was trying to get the creature to go to a specific target with humans giving hints. The dog cued on the human and took instructions and went to the correct target. The wolf completely ignored the human.

The hypothesis of having taken wild cubs for training has been pretty well ruled out by experiment. Wild wolf cubs do not generally grow up into anything you'd want to have around the clan, even if raised from birth by humans. The hypothesis of self-selection, followed by multi-generational selection pressure, followed by eventual human interaction better fits the nature of wolves. It also tends to follow what we see with other wild canids. Coyotes seem to show some self-sorting along these lines near human settlements.

Interestingly, though, the early stages of this process would not have been particularly synergistic for humans. The first generations of bold wolves hanging out near one's hunter-gatherer clan would have been unlikely to be particularly welcomed.

Perhaps the early human contribution towards wolf domestication was in killing the most aggressive such wolves, leaving the "bold, but not too aggresive" wolves to reproduce. After a few generations, it might have even been beneficial to live in the territory of a wolf pack that was human-tolerant but not too human-aggressive.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

I was unaware that there were any domesticate/semidomesticated species of fox.

The things you learn on Ars.

I know the wiki article uses the term "domesticated", but it might be more accurate to refer to those as "tamed". Domestication involves more than just using breeding/training to reduce the natural aggressiveness of an animal. Even feral cats and dogs, for instance, seem to have an affinity towards humans that their never-domesticated cousins seem to lack.

And what a wonderful thing it was when our ancestors and those proto-dogs first agreed that we were meant to be best friends. They help in so many ways, and are one of the few animals that we can relate to at a deep level. It's nice to be able to understand exactly what one of my dogs is thinking when they see something new.

not surprising. Actually Europe was the birthplace of many aspects of civilization, like the first complex art pieces around 40000BC. Something about surviving in a difficult environment must be motivating.

I know the wiki article uses the term "domesticated", but it might be more accurate to refer to those as "tamed". Domestication involves more than just using breeding/training to reduce the natural aggressiveness of an animal.

No, it really doesn't involve more than that. Tamed is what you get if you raise an animal from the wild, or even a few generations into captivity (or more than a few, if you go out of your way to keep them more wild, like a zoo would).

These foxes have been raised in captivity for many generations. From everything I have seen they are domestic. Now, maybe not as much so as dogs, since dogs have been domestic far longer. But not just "tamed". Hell, they even look more like dogs (not that it matters for the definition of domestic). Just selecting for less aggression has produced tail wagging, floppy ears,and spots and neoteny in general.

I watched an interesting TV program regarding dogs and one of the studies showed that dogs have a compelling urge to cue on humans. IIRC they compared wolves raised in captivity with dogs raised identically then had them tested attempting various tasks. The one I remember the best was trying to get the creature to go to a specific target with humans giving hints. The dog cued on the human and took instructions and went to the correct target. The wolf completely ignored the human.

I saw the same program and it changed my way of thinking when it came nature vs. nurture. Excellent program to be certain. I do think that wolves also have the interesting dog behavior in that they can tell if you are a "dog person" or not but they are just wired to be more leery of humans in general. It's as if a wolf's Fear-O-Meter has a higher level of sensitivity and intensity.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

I had a Golden retriever who had the lovely habit of bringing in the first robin of spring for her humans to enjoy. Not even this most wonderfully docile and well-behaved dog could deny the urge to retrieve game. No one in the family is a hunter but she figured "Hey! I like catching these things and I'm so proud to share them with YOU!" Good girl, Roodie. Good girl.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

I had a Golden retriever who had the lovely habit of bringing in the first robin of spring for her humans to enjoy. Not even this most wonderfully docile and well-behaved dog could deny the urge to retrieve game. No one in the family is a hunter but she figured "Hey! I like catching these things and I'm so proud to share them with YOU!" Good girl, Roodie. Good girl.

Oh goodness. I had a AmStaff that loved to bring me the lovely treats of dead squirrels (granted, he was 98 pounds and all muscle). One day he even brought a dead raccoon into my home (and you have to be a tough dog to kill a big male raccoon!). What a horrible event.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

I had a Golden retriever who had the lovely habit of bringing in the first robin of spring for her humans to enjoy. Not even this most wonderfully docile and well-behaved dog could deny the urge to retrieve game. No one in the family is a hunter but she figured "Hey! I like catching these things and I'm so proud to share them with YOU!" Good girl, Roodie. Good girl.

Wow, your dog acts like a cat. If you really impress on a cat that you are the master (hard, but sometimes happens), it will always bring the best parts of the birds and rats it catches to you. Not that I believe that has ever been trained in them, but because they instinctly understand the concept of bribes.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

I had a Golden retriever who had the lovely habit of bringing in the first robin of spring for her humans to enjoy. Not even this most wonderfully docile and well-behaved dog could deny the urge to retrieve game. No one in the family is a hunter but she figured "Hey! I like catching these things and I'm so proud to share them with YOU!" Good girl, Roodie. Good girl.

Oh goodness. I had a AmStaff that loved to bring me the lovely treats of dead squirrels (granted, he was 98 pounds and all muscle). One day he even brought a dead raccoon into my home (and you have to be a tough dog to kill a big male raccoon!). What a horrible event.

That sounds so familiar. I have a female Lab/Jack Russell mix who is The Verminator. I have never had a dog with so much drive to kill things. I remind myself she's a terrier and getting mad about it makes no sense. I might as well go shout at the sun for rising in the eastern sky every morning. Her biggest quarry to date was a groundhog that weighed at least 15 pounds. I thought she had just found a carcass but as she was bringing it to me (the Lab part of her make-up could not be denied) it started moving. Two swift shakes and I heard a snap/pop sound that signified the demise of said woodchuck from a broken neck. It amazes me how great of a hunter/killer a dog can be and yet be so gentle and sweet.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

Fox study is very interesting. I wonder how long it would take for them to revert in the wild. I watched a TV program that said pigs will revert to fully feral in zero generations; meaning the actual domesticated pig that escapes will grow tusks & hair. Skimmed through wiki page & didn't see anything, but found an article that references it. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

I would be interested to learn if Chihuahuas come from the same line as well. They are clearly dogs but their mannerisms (from having observed them for years now - I own two and know others) are much more keenly in line with foxes and other scavengers than most other dog breeds (including those similar in size). They are very keenly aware of danger, react very quickly to sudden threats and changes (such as a pair of pants dropping on to them off a sofa - they can literally detect it falling and move out from under it midflight) - and scavenge far more than others. If I set my boys free in a park they will just scavenge, while other breeds run about and play, scratch or do other things.

Their similarities in behaviour might be attributable to size and rapid evolution as described here in the article (the behaviour just makes sense for animals of that type and size) but I'd be interested to actually know. Part of the mystique also seems to stem from the fact that it is still undecided where the Chihuahua breed came from - the Americas or Europe.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostilemost lazy wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

There, fixed it for you. That sounds like a dog to me

On a serious note, your changes don't line up with the domestication of silver foxes. It was only through selective breeding that the aggression disappeared from the group. This wikipedia article most probably doesn't highlight that, but if you read up, you'll find the details. It's a fascinating read that shaped my understanding of nature and nurture (well, that and many other very useful observations and readings).

I remember reading the Ars article about those foxes and I still think domesticated foxes would make great pets!

Dogs Decoded (Nova Season 6) is an absolutely must-watch for anyone interested in silver fox domestication and the corollary to dog domestication. It's available on NetFlix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. The silver fox section starts at 35:20 but you really need to watch the whole thing.

It's a shame Belyaev died before his work was recognized. IMNSHO it could have been Nobel worthy.

I know the wiki article uses the term "domesticated", but it might be more accurate to refer to those as "tamed". Domestication involves more than just using breeding/training to reduce the natural aggressiveness of an animal.

No, it really doesn't involve more than that. Tamed is what you get if you raise an animal from the wild, or even a few generations into captivity (or more than a few, if you go out of your way to keep them more wild, like a zoo would).

These foxes have been raised in captivity for many generations. From everything I have seen they are domestic. Now, maybe not as much so as dogs, since dogs have been domestic far longer. But not just "tamed". Hell, they even look more like dogs (not that it matters for the definition of domestic). Just selecting for less aggression has produced tail wagging, floppy ears,and spots and neoteny in general.

However, it is also worth considering that the least scared or least hostile wolves followed humans to feed off their leftovers, and dogs could have started to evolve before any human thought about it.

Sounds about right to me. Also, I wonder if wolves gained territorial benefits to following a human tribe as they covered ground, like following an ambulance down the highway.

I was always amazed at the facts dogs would hunt for their masters on instinct. Imagine if hunting is your primary food source, and your dog brought you a deer. Good girl! Except now, a bloody, dead deer in your house is a bit unacceptable. Bad girl!

I had a Golden retriever who had the lovely habit of bringing in the first robin of spring for her humans to enjoy. Not even this most wonderfully docile and well-behaved dog could deny the urge to retrieve game. No one in the family is a hunter but she figured "Hey! I like catching these things and I'm so proud to share them with YOU!" Good girl, Roodie. Good girl.

Wow, your dog acts like a cat. If you really impress on a cat that you are the master (hard, but sometimes happens), it will always bring the best parts of the birds and rats it catches to you. Not that I believe that has ever been trained in them, but because they instinctly understand the concept of bribes.

She was a wonderfully gifted animal. Very tuned into humans and their needs and all she wanted to do is please and comfort. The first full day I spent with her after rescuing/adopting her still amazes me. I took her to an annual street fair we have in town. She was very easy to manage even though her previous family said she hated being on a leash. Utter BS. They didn't know what they had.

As we were walking down the VERY busy street (at least a thousand people around) I felt her stop and when I looked back, she had stopped at the side of an older lady in a wheel chair. Roodie put her paw on the woman's knee while the lady was fawning all over my new dog. She was absolutely amazing and charming with everyone that day. I knew I had done a good thing in bringing her into the fold. The word is overused but she truly was awesome.

I watched an interesting TV program regarding dogs and one of the studies showed that dogs have a compelling urge to cue on humans. IIRC they compared wolves raised in captivity with dogs raised identically then had them tested attempting various tasks. The one I remember the best was trying to get the creature to go to a specific target with humans giving hints. The dog cued on the human and took instructions and went to the correct target. The wolf completely ignored the human.

Not sure if this is related, but coyotes just walk in by people. Maybe I don't look too tasty.